As long as it is not related to Princess Yu Liu, Emperor Yong still behaves like a ruler of a country, and he will never joke about the stability of the southern border.
He nodded solemnly to Qiao Zhongguo, "Qiao Aiqing, this is exactly what I am worried about."
"The reason why Nanli Country is so peaceful is because General Xiao is well-known. If the newcomer is a good-for-nothing, I'm afraid it will ruin the peace of the southern border for more than ten years."
Although Qiao Zhongguo resented Emperor Yong for his foolishness and partiality in the matter of the second prince, since it concerned the people of Yong, he would tell them everything he knew.
"Your Majesty, I believe that if you doubt someone, don't employ him; if you employ someone, don't doubt him."
"If His Majesty has not found a suitable candidate yet, why not have General Xiao recommend a reliable deputy general to temporarily take over the position of general."
"In this way, the southern border will remain stable, and His Majesty will have enough time to examine the generals and select the most capable candidates."
When Emperor Yong heard this, he couldn't help but look back at the Crown Prince and Tan Hanchi.
When Qiao Zhongguo was on his way here just now, Emperor Yong also asked them both, and the Crown Prince and Tan Hanchi had exactly the same opinions as Qiao Zhongguo.
At this point, Emperor Yong no longer hesitated and nodded.
"As Minister Qiao said, I still have to carefully consider the final choice of the general."
When Qiao Zhongguo heard this, he couldn't help but feel a little moved. He wondered if there would be the most suitable candidate in the future that Jiaojiao foresaw.
It seems that I have to find a way to get my daughter to say something without making any noise...
The main business had been discussed and Qiao Zhongguo was about to leave when the prince suddenly stood up.
"Father, while Lord Qiao is here, I would like to ask for mercy for Xiao Si."
Qiao Zhongguo was slightly surprised when he heard this!
What’s going on? Are they going to arrange an engagement between Jiaojiao and the Fourth Prince?
No way!
No way!
The royal family is the most dangerous, and Jiaojiao must not be allowed to get involved in it under any circumstances!
Qiao Zhongguo had already prepared a refusal in his mind, but then he heard the prince continue:
"I hope that Xiao Si can become Master Qiao's disciple, learn how to behave in society, and learn martial arts to strengthen the body."
Qiao Zhongguo was stunned at first, then he breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, it’s a student. He thought he was a son-in-law!
This...is not a problem.
Emperor Yong was also a little surprised, but when he saw the crown prince's furrowed brows and gloomy expression, he remembered the fourth prince's life and death shock yesterday, and he felt a trace of guilt in his heart.
"Okay."
Emperor Yong nodded, then looked at Qiao Zhongguo.
"Qiao Aiqing, are you willing to accept Xiao Si as your student?"
The prince did not expect that Emperor Yong would agree so readily.
But after what happened yesterday, he no longer dared and could not pin his future on Emperor Yong.
Even though the second brother was so bold that he designed to send Concubine Yu to the emperor's bedside and still had an affair with Concubine Yu, the emperor still refused to severely punish the second brother.
This made him realize clearly the importance of Concubine Yu and his second brother in his father's heart.
Standing by Yuhua Lake last night, he had already made up his mind: he was going to fight for it! He was going to grab it!
Whether for the sake of his mother, Xiao Si, the loyal people of the Qiao family, or for the people of the Yong Dynasty, he could never let his father hand over the Yong Dynasty to his second brother!
Qiao Zhongguo thought of the well-behaved Fourth Prince and was willing to do so, but he had some concerns.
"Your Majesty, it is my honor to accept the Fourth Prince as my student. But you also know that I am a rough man. This... the Fourth Prince will have to endure real hardships if he follows me."
Emperor Yong knew that Qiao Zhongguo was a man of measure, so he said immediately: "It's good to endure a little hardship. Xiao Si has been raised too delicate after all."
After getting the promise, Qiao Zhongguo no longer hesitated and nodded in agreement.
The prince was delighted, but then he thought about how the Fourth Prince's education had been delayed since the last incident with Di Zaiying, so he immediately turned his gaze to Tan Hanchi beside him.
"Father, Xiao Si's first teacher has not yet been found. In my opinion, Mr. Tan is a good fit. What do you think, Father?"
When it came to the matter of the Fourth Prince's enlightenment, Emperor Yong felt even more ashamed and he glanced at Tan Hanchi.
"Then let Tan Aiqing be Xiao Si's first teacher."
Tan Hanchi had no room for refusal and immediately accepted the order respectfully.
Seeing that things had come to this, Qiao Zhongguo decided to join in the fun.
"Your Majesty, I would also like to ask for mercy."
Emperor Yong:?
Qiao Zhongguo smiled shamelessly.
"Your Majesty, I see that my son Erlang has some insignificant talent in arranging troops and martial arts, so I want him to become General Xiao's apprentice and learn more real skills."
Emperor Yong raised his eyebrows slightly when he heard this. He looked at Qiao Zhongguo intently and suddenly said half-jokingly:
"Qiao Aiqing is honest, aren't you afraid that people in the capital will say that you are greedy and seek to curry favor with the rich and powerful?"
Qiao Zhongguo looked directly into Emperor Yong's eyes, as if he could see the Emperor's concerns. He suddenly stopped smiling and said seriously:
"Your Majesty, I am not afraid of rumors, nor do I care about my reputation. I just dare to give you my heart."
"My son, Erlang, has this talent, and I cannot bear to bury him. But I have been away from the battlefield for a long time, and I have forgotten many things, and I have lost the fighting spirit."
"If Erlang can learn and achieve something under General Xiao, he will surely be able to help Your Majesty in the future."
After Qiao Zhongguo finished speaking, he bowed deeply to Emperor Yong.
Emperor Yong stared at Qiao Zhongguo for a while, and after a while, his face showed a hint of emotion.
Looking at the entire court, Emperor Yong knew that no one dared to say such words to him.
The Qiao family is already extremely prominent, and ordinary people would have long been keeping a low profile. Only Qiao Zhongguo, knowing that this move might cause fear, still chose to speak out.
At this moment, even Emperor Yong had to admit that Qiao Zhongguo was still the same Qiao Zhongguo as before, frank and calm, full of courage and bravery.
There was silence in the imperial study. When the Crown Prince and Tan Hanchi heard this, they couldn't help but admire him.
Qiao Zhongguo is indeed a remarkable man.
He never seemed to be afraid to face challenges head-on, and his rare frankness was something the emperor could not refuse.
Sure enough, the next moment, Emperor Yong came over from behind the desk and personally helped Qiao Zhongguo up.
Qiao Zhongguo raised his eyes and met Emperor Yong's unusually gentle expression.
"Qiao Aiqing, I trust you. I hope that Qiao's Erlang can have half the character and bravery of his father. If so, I won't have to worry about having no one to use."
When Qiao Zhongguo heard this, genuine joy showed on his face.
"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I dare not let you down!"
After the Crown Prince and others left the imperial study, Emperor Yong sat still at his desk for a long time.
Eunuch Huang was serving on the side, feeling somewhat uneasy about Emperor Yong's abnormal behavior.
Normally at this time of day, after dealing with government affairs, Emperor Yong would sit with the portrait of Empress Yu Liu for a while, occasionally saying a few words, but today he had not taken any action.
"Your Majesty, would you like to take a short rest?"
Eunuch Huang asked in a low voice.
Emperor Yong slowly raised his head, and looking at the expression on his face, he seemed to have mixed feelings.
"Huang Pei, what do you think of Qiao Zhongguo?"
Eunuch Huang guessed Emperor Yong's thoughts and said with an apologetic smile, "Your Majesty, I dare not speak nonsense, but Lord Qiao is indeed a rare loyal and righteous minister."
"I'm afraid no one in the capital would dare to speak openly in front of His Majesty what you just said."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yong nodded slightly and said in a low voice:
"This Qiao Zhongguo is indeed a man of great use, but I wonder if he still has any resentment about the attack on the Northern Kingdom..."
Eunuch Huang shuddered suddenly.
He would be extra cautious when it came to anything related to the Northern Kingdom or Empress Yu Liu.
Emperor Yong did not seem to want to get an answer from Huang Pei. He slowly turned his head and looked at the wall where the portrait was hidden. He spoke solemnly:
"I have locked up the second son in the clan residence. I don't know if Yu Liu will be angry with me."
"I hope the second brother can reflect on himself and stop hurting my feelings again..."
Having said this, Emperor Yong suddenly stood up and walked out.
Eunuch Huang stood there in a daze, unable to react!
This is the first time in more than ten years that His Majesty has not opened the secret compartment to look at the portrait of Empress Yu Liu!